Workers confined inside Tuba factory

Economic Correspondent: Workers of several Tuba Group garment factories have been confined inside a Tuba garment factory at Hossain Market in North Badda area as police locked the factory from outside, alleged Moshrefa Mishu, president of Garment Workers Unity Forum (GWUF).

 

Moshrefa Mishu said the workers have been observing fast-unto-death strike here for the nine consecutive days, demanding their payment of unpaid salary and allowances, but police locked its exits and entrances from the outside.

Police and haired cadres (terrorists) of the owner have been threatening the workers from Tuesday night for withdrawing the strike. They also threatened the workers again on Wednesday morning, she also alleged.

 

After a meeting with the government, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters` Association (BGMEA) sought emergency funds from big garment companies to clear the dues of the workers. A part of the dues is set to distribute today but the workers refused to receive the partial arrears.

More than Tk 4.14 crore is needed to pay three months` arrears and Eid bonus to 1,600 workers of the Group.

Both the BGMEA and Tuba management had applied for bank loans to pay the workers. But the applications were rejected for failure to provide a guarantee from Group`s Managing Director Delwar Hossain, who freed in bail now accused for his role in Tazreen fire that killed 112 people in November 2012.

risingbd/Aug 06, 2014/Mamun/Aminul